Minneapolis, MN

Eastern Congo Initiative

EIN 45-4103655

International Development & Humanitarian Aid Global Development & Relief

Mission

Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI) supports locally led solutions in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo by combining grantmaking, advocacy, and market-strengthening programs to increase the quality and quantity of investment in Congolese-led organizations and enterprises.

IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charity Contributions are tax-deductible

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About Eastern Congo Initiative

Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI) is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Ben Affleck and Whitney Williams in 2010 and headquartered in Minneapolis, MN. ECI focuses on grantmaking, advocacy, and strengthening market-based solutions that are led by Congolese organizations, with particular program work in areas such as clean water, primary healthcare, agricultural livelihoods, and market systems. In recent years ECI has continued to scale its Asili social-enterprise model (membership-based water kiosks and community clinics) and to provide multi-year grants and technical support to Congolese partners responding to development and humanitarian needs.

Notable achievements

Founded and sustained a Congolese-focused advocacy & grantmaking platform

Since its founding in 2010, ECI established a U.S.-based advocacy and grantmaking organization solely focused on eastern Congo, channeling resources and global attention to Congolese-led civil society and social enterprises.

Development and scaling of Asili social enterprise

ECI developed and supported the Asili model—membership-based water kiosks, primary care clinics, and market services in South Kivu—to expand affordable access to clean water, basic healthcare, and market linkages for communities.

Sustained grantmaking and partnership support

Over the last several years ECI has provided multi-year grants, technical assistance, and market-strengthening support to a diversified portfolio of Congolese-led organizations addressing livelihoods, conservation, health, and local governance.

At a glance

Total assets: $6.4M
Annual revenue: $1.4M
Tax status: 501(c)(3)Public charity
EIN: 45-4103655
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Website: easterncongo.org
On Mahalo since: May 2026

Financial figures from the IRS Business Master File, the IRS’s registry of tax-exempt organizations.

Recognition

Registered and operating U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity with recognized nonprofit profiles and filings; tax-exempt status established in the early 2010s.

Widely recognized in media and philanthropic circles due in part to high-profile founders and visible advocacy work calling attention to issues in eastern DRC.

Documented presence on nonprofit data platforms and registries, and active public-facing website describing recent program activity and financial filings.

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